Families of Belarusian political prisoners appeal to Putin

The Russian Prime Minister is visiting Belarus on March 15.

The Vyzvalenne (Release) initiative, which unites the relatives of the presidential candidates, their team members, journalists and human rights activists arrested in Minsk on December 19, has appealed to the Russian Prime Minister. Representatives of the organization, Volha Bandarenka and Maryna Adamovich, have handed over a letter to the Embassy of Russia in Minsk. They also gave a copy of the letter to charter97.org website.

To Prime Minister of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Putin

Dear Mr Vladimir,

A great trouble has come to our home. We are mothers, fathers, wives and children of Belarusian political prisoners. Our family members were arrested in Minsk on December 19, 2010, when they had come to the square to protest peacefully against the rigged Belarusian presidential election. The whole world, including Russia, has condemned the political outrage and legal mayhem conducted by the Belarusian authorities.

The example of your citizens, who were thrown in jail after the presidential election and tried as well as the example of the Russian journalists, who were beaten by law-enforcement officers at a peaceful demonstration, has given you an opportunity to see the real face of the Belarusian regime.

You are visiting Minsk on March 15. It is not ruled out that you may meet with Alyaksandr Lukashenka during the visit.

The Belarusian dictator is a pariah in the civilized world. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on him due to his insanely brutal crackdown.

We call you, the political leader of the powerful state, to take real steps to facilitate the release of Belarusian prisoners of conscience. Not only we, their exhausted relatives, but also the whole world is looking at you hoping that you will be able to stop Lukashenka’s crackdown on his political opponents and make him respect the fundamental human rights.

You can interfere to save human lives and prove that Russia is a really friendly state that cannot stay aside when outrage and lawlessness reign in Belarus. The Belarusians will be thankful to accept your assistance in releasing political leaders.

Vyzvalenne initiative.